Our people
Our research wouldn't be possible without the expereince and expertise of our team. Find out more them here.
Professor Sarah Ennis- Sarah is a Professor of Genomics, and chief investigator for the genetics of IBD study. She leads on optimisation and cleaning of digitally extracted NHS data, execution of contemporary sequencing of DNA and RNA from patient samples and integration of data from multiple ‘omic sources using machine learning approaches to inform clinical management. Amongst many other roles Sarah is also a research director at Central South Genomic Medicine Service.
Professor Mark Beattie – Mark is the lead for the Wessex Regional Paediatric Gastroenterology service, and the principal investigator on the genetics of IBD study. His main clinical and research interests include the aetiology and management of IBD. Mark has held numerous prestigious national positions and is a past editor in chief at Frontline Gastroenterology, and past president of BSPGHAN.
Dr James Ashton- James is an associate professor at the ÃÛÌÒTV and honorary consultant paediatric gastroenterologist at Southampton Children’s Hospital. James has a specific interest in personalising therapy in IBD using genomic data. He has additional interests in application of AI and big data, within IBD research, with a focus on translational research in this area. In addition, James is the current BSPGHAN research chair and works closely with CICRA to promote awareness of IBD in children.
Dr Tracy Coelho- Tracy is a consultant paediatric gastroenterologist at Southampton Children’s Hospital. Having completed his PhD within the group he maintains a strong research interest, particularly on pharmacogenomics within IBD. He was recently awarded research time through the University Hospital Southampton research leader’s programme.
Dr Guo Cheng- Guo is a bioinformatician and statistical geneticist working on genomics and other ‘omics data from the Southampton cohort of complex diseases, the UK Biobank (data on autoimmune conditions), and Genomics England. She works to analyse the genomic and clinical data from the genetics of IBD study using novel computational techniques.
Dr Alex Kadhim- Alex is a data scientist and bioinformatician, with a focus on extraction, standardisation and improving use of clinical data in the IBD study. Whilst Alex uses AI and databases to improve curation and use of clinical data, he also works on analysis underpinning the molecular biology of IBD using genomic and transcriptomic data.
Dr Iman Nazari – Iman is a computer scientist and bioinformatician working on analytical pipelines for genomic and other ‘omic data. Iman has an in depth understanding of pipeline optimisation and also works with extremely large datasets within Genomics England and UK Biobank.
Dr Zach Green – Zach is both a paediatric gastroenterology doctor, and a PhD student. His fellowship, funded by CICRA, focuses on using big clinical data to characterise, predict and personalise therapy in inflammatory bowel disease.
Dr Lynn Winn – Lynn is a 3rd year PhD student focusing on the use of genomic and clinical data to improve diagnosis of rare (and common) disease.
Mr Fernando Vazquez Lopez – Fernando is a 2nd year PhD student using genomic data and machine learning to stratify outcomes and personalise diagnoses in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
IBD research nurses- the study is superbly supported by nurses in the clinical research facility. The team, including Jenny Pond, Emily Dunn and Helen Dewar, recruit patients and get blood samples. They are key in the success of the research
DNA laboratory team- Nikki Graham
The lab is supported by staff from the high performance computing cluster, particularly Dr Alister Boags, and we also have many students rotating through the lab, including MSc Genomics, intercalated medical students and visiting students.
